Uncapped Taylor in England squad
Published: 29 July 2012

Nottinghamshire's uncapped batsman James Taylor has replaced Ravi Bopara in the England squad for the second Test against South Africa, at Headingley on Thursday.

Taylor, 22, replaces Bopara for personal reasons. The Essex batsman made 0 and 22 on his return to the side in the first Test, as England were thumped by an innings and 12 runs at the Oval.

England have retained the option to play five or six batsmen in Leeds, with Steven Finn and Graeme Onions kept in the squad. The hosts only managed to take two wickets in the opening Test, as Hashim Amla made a stunning triple century.

The consistency of selection shown under Andrew Strauss and Andy Flower though means that England are unlikely to tamper with their four-man attack - meaning Taylor is set for a Test debut.

Taylor has been widely tipped as a future England Test cricketer since making his debut for Leicestershire as a teenager in 2008.

He made his international debut against Ireland in an ODI last summer, making just one. He has a fantastic record in first-class cricket though, averaging 48.49, and has some form coming into the match, making a ton against Sussex in the LV= County Championship.